NEW YORK, Oct 29, 2001/ --- The Versace family is taking a former bodyguard to court for defamation over allegations the family has mafia links and was secretly involved in designer Gianni Versace's death.

Santo Versace, brother of murdered Gianni, has flown to Sydney, Australia, to give evidence in the trial against bodyguard-turned-author Frank Monte.

Monte has written a book, "The Spying Game," which reproduces conversations he allegedly had with Gianni Versace. Monte claims he was hired to protect Versace during 1996 and 1997 and that the famed designer confided in him about the family's alleged links with the mafia. The book also claims Gianni's brother and sister, Santo and Donatella, were involved in his murder.

Versace was gunned down outside his lavish South Beach, Miami, mansion in July 1997, by Andrew Cunanan. Cunanan was wanted for four other murders, but was never captured alive. He shot himself nine days after murdering Versace.

Henric Nicolas, representing the Versaces, told the Federal Court that the allegations were "colorful", "controversial," "scandalous" and "fantasy." He said Monte invented the stories about working for the Versace family to gain media attention.

"The evidence clearly demonstrates that Mr. Monte feeds on the oxygen of self-generated publicity and creates occasions for it," Nicolas said.

He said the book was false, defamatory and designed to cause harm to the reputation of the Versace family.

Clive Evatt, Monte's lawyer, told the court his client believed everything he had written. "It might be that it's a nightmare for the [Versaces] but it's no dream," he said.

"The Spying Game" was due to be published in June this year, but was withdrawn after the Versace family threatened legal action.